Vitamin C Pre-Workout?

Anyone else use Vitamin C before they train? Vitamin C has been proven to suppresscortisol and I know cortisol is a big issue during training. I have been using 1000mg of vitamin C right before I workout. Usually in the form of some vitamin C chews from GNC (not a bad price actually). Been doing this for the past year....this has been the best year training of my career (Now Im not saying its because vitamin C). The last year I have added liver tabs, vitamin C and extra doses of flax oil to my regimen.

well, i use it pre...but mainly b/c i workout in the morning and take a 1/2-serving with my breakfast. But i also take one full serving after and another half later in the day. Good point regarding the cost (almost nothing...) but then again, really question a huge difference in supping vit c before or not doing so.

I use 1000mg of C pre & post wo. I'm not sure it is doing anything, but C is cheap as hell and there is no doubt that it's good for ya. I think it has something to do with being an anti oxidant that makes it good to bracket around wo's.

It won't interfere at all. Vitamin C has great anti-cortisol properties (especially at 5g+ /day) so taking it throughout the day is great when dieting and during pre and post workout. Half life is around 3-4 hours so make sure you take some constantly all day to keep levels stable. Dr. Serrano raves about Vitamin C.

If you've seen on the new anti-cortisol products on TV (Cortislim) for weightloss, Vitamin C is the main ingredient.

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Vitamin C
Sources: The best sources are fruits like: strawberries, cantaloupes, peppers, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits.
Absorption and Storage: Vitamin C is easily absorbed. Average absorption is 90%. For intakes between 20 and 120 mg; however, at very high intakes absorption rates decrease. Persons that regularly use Vitamin C supplementation have much higher serum levels of Vitamin C than non users.
Maximal absorption is attained by the ingestion of several spaced dosages of 500 mg to 2 grams throughout the day. Vitamin C's half-life is 3 to 4 hours. This means you need to take Vitamin C every 4 to 6 hours to keep your levels elevated. Peak serum concentration is obtained in about 2 1/2 hours. To increase serum level of Vitamin C by a factor of two you have to increase the oral dose by a factor of 10. For example: going from 50 to 500 mg per day doubles serum levels. Going from 500 mg to 5 g (5000 mg) per day doubles the serum level again. So going from 50 mg daily to 5000 mg raises your serum level of Vitamin C to four times the original amount.

Functions and Biological Activity of Vitamin C
Listed below are ten claims that have been made in the research for Vitamin C. Next to each claim I will give a letter grade to coincide with what research tells us and a number grade that tells what my personal experience has indicated (see the grading key below):

Research:
A - adequately backed up by research
B - backed up but still not enough
C - controversial 30% say it works 60-70% it doesn't

2) Aids in Collagen Synthesis [A,4] - In theory this could be very important for a bodybuilder. However, I have not been able to document this benefit in my practice one way or the other so I give it a grade of 4.

3) Aids in the Synthesis of Carnitine [A,4] - Theoretically this should help the bodybuilder to mobilize more fat. I, personally, do not have enough data or experience with my patients to agree or disagree with the research.

4) Helps Reduce Soreness and Joint Pain [A, 1] - This is one benefit related in the scientific data that I've definitely seen with my patients.

5) Acts as an Antioxidant [A, 1] - Antioxidants are vitamins or minerals that prevent free radical build up in the body. Exercise causes an increase in free radical build up which limits the body's ability to repair. Free radicals can cause DNA damage, muscle soreness and disease. Vitamin C has excellent marks here.

6) Reduces Susceptibility to Injuries and Disease [A, 1] - Free radicals can cause your immune response to decrease, which in turn increases your susceptibility to disease and injuries. All my patients respond well to higher doses of Vitamin C. White blood cells increase and viral infections decrease in almost every instance.

7) Aids in Production of Serotonin [B, 3] - Increased Serotonin levels in the brain have a positive effect on one's ability to sleep soundly, depression and the natural secretion of growth hormone. This sounds good, but higher serotonin levels can also lower your threshold for fatigue.

8) Reduces Cholesterol and Prevents Arteriosclerosis [A, 1] - Everybody should use Vitamin C because it help prevents hardening of the arteries while reducing cholesterol by 30%. Enough said!

9) Reduces Asthma / Allergies Susceptibility [A, 1] - New research shows that people can decrease asthma attacks and allergic reactions by just increasing Vitamin C uptake by as little as 200 mg. I've seen a number of my patients discontinue their allergy medication by simply increasing their intake of Vitamin C.

10) Reduces Cortisol Levels [A, 1] - Very important for bodybuilders, research shows that Vitamin C intake of 2 to 5 grams, up to 15 grams a day definitely reduces the Cortisol response to stress (training). Thus Vitamin C helps prevent catabolism.

Conclusion
I use Vitamin C and definitely recommend it to my patients. I recommend that you start with 1500 mg to 6000 mg divided into three daily doses and go up to a maximum of 5 to 10 grams per day. The most important times to take Vitamin C are one hour prior to training and two hours after your workout is completed. By ingesting 2 to 4 grams at these times the Cortisol response will be minimized and the antioxidant effect of Vitamin C maximized. Your Vitamin C should be time released to keep serum levels constant. Never buy chewable tablets as this form will destroy your tooth enamel. Back off the dosage if you experience diarrhea or stomach upset. These symptoms are an indicator of the maximum dosage you can tolerate.

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I just feel better man, nothing in particular I just had some laying around and decided to use some I just feel hydrated

1. The plasma saturation dose of vitamin C is 500mg. You are essentially wasting the rest.
2. The dose responsive curve (based on an MD's research) shows that vitamin C at 1g is pro-oxidant.
3. Vitamin C does not affect hydration in any way, shape, or form.
4. There are numerous studies demonstrating that high doses of vitamin C periworkout were detrimental to recovery and progression in trained athletes.

I'm just trying to help you. The vitamin C, at the dose and time that you use it, is likely hurting your progress.

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1. The plasma saturation dose of vitamin C is 500mg. You are essentially wasting the rest.
2. The dose responsive curve (based on an MD's research) shows that vitamin C at 1g is pro-oxidant.
3. Vitamin C does not affect hydration in any way, shape, or form.
4. There are numerous studies demonstrating that high doses of vitamin C periworkout were detrimental to recovery and progression in trained athletes.

I'm just trying to help you. The vitamin C, at the dose and time that you use it, is likely hurting your progress.

lol it's pro-oxidant? The irony, I'm gonna have to toss that factoid out there the next time I run into some new age granola fiend at the raisin rack.

4. There are numerous studies demonstrating that high doses of vitamin C periworkout were detrimental to recovery and progression in trained athletes.

I heard this before, do you have any of these studies? There are pro's for taking anti oxidants pre workout, and cons as well. I haven't seen anything to make me stop my 500mg vitamin C pre workout. Craze even has 250, and most people take 2 scoops, so 500 mg. I trust the guys at DS that they wouldn't put in a detrimental ingredient in their pre workout performance enhancement product, especially since vitamin C is a useless ingredient to add in otherwise. I'd imagine they believed that the anti-cortisol effects > the cons.

I heard this before, do you have any studies? There are pro's for taking anti oxidants pre workout, and cons as well. I haven't seen anything to make me stop my 500mg vitamin C pre workout. Craze even has 250, and most people take 2 scoops, so 500 mg. I trust the guys at DS that they wouldn't put in a detrimental ingredient in their pre workout product.

I believe this is another Poliquin recommendation, which he primarily used through intravenous administration of vitamin C. Take Poliquin's nutritional supplement advice with a grain of salt. Also Mr. Cooper covered the issue of pro-oxidant issues associated with utilizing anti-oxidant dosages that are too high. I believe that anti-oxidant usage specifically around workout time is also related to greater overall ROS generation and diminished insulin sensitivity post exercise.

I believe this is another Poliquin recommendation, which he primarily used through intravenous administration of vitamin C. Take Poliquin's nutritional supplement advice with a grain of salt. Also Mr. Cooper covered the issue of pro-oxidant issues associated with utilizing anti-oxidant dosages that are too high. I believe that anti-oxidant usage specifically around workout time is also related to greater overall ROS generation and diminished insulin sensitivity post exercise.

Indeed. Also note effects on adaptation to exercise and hormesis.

http://pescience.com/
http://selectprotein.com/
The above is my own opinion and does not reflect the opinion of PES